The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-11-10

most unconsciously smiled with evident
pleasure. Lars saw it, aud from that dav
Jealousy began to take root deeper and
deeper in his heart, and therewas no lack
CT occasion to develop it. Msrgrit Her
mensen, katie's best friend, went to the
altar to plight her faith. Katie was
chosen to carry the wreath, accompanied
by Christoph. When Lars heard Of it he
| opposed it vehementlv.
Both young men grew violent, and only
| katle's presence OF mind in declaring she
did not wish to go to the wedding, pre-
vented perhaps the very worst outbreak
OF Lars passionate storm of anger. AZ
ter that the two avoided each other as
much as possible, but sought to be with
Matte. Each knew that the other loved
the girl, and both felt secretly conscious
to whom katie's heart inclined. Chris
toph, the calmer and more self possessed,
felt silent, blissful happiness taking pos
session of his heart when tn. girl looked
at him with her blue eyes so sweetlv and
kindly. Lars, more vehement, believed
at times that Katie loved him, her man
ner was always SO cordial. But, again,
when he saw her with Christoph, voice
within told him that he was rot the ia
vored one, and he suffered bitter torment
80 1t had gone on till the evening when
the young fishermen returned together
from the shore. Christoph's heart beat
last at the quiet, peaceful scene in old
Mason's cottage, and it drew him back
with irresistible power to leave a greeting
Tor the beloved one. But after he had
entered the hall, in his effort to close the
door, so violently flung open by the
storm, he suddenly became conscious of
Katie in his arms And while it ragged
and stormed without he kissed her, aud
in wild happiness be whispered: "Katie,
do you love me? - She did not answer,
but her lips pressed his.
The next morning Lars stood on the
shore mending his boat, when Rob Steffel
came BY.
You are early, though you came
home late Were you with your sweet
heart %
Lars looked at him, red with anger.
He struck the wood with his ak, and tho
chips fl W far around.
Hoho.' continued the other, lyon
did not have good luck, it seems"
Keep still ~ cried Lars. What is
it to you whether have good luck or
not 90
Bob Steffel stepped nearer. You are
unjust to me-" he said. GA big fellow
like you should not take it 50 ineekly.
Christoph mas plainly taken the fish away
from YOU"
Lars made no answer, but his hand
clasped the ak convulsively. "You and
have no love for Chrstoph," continued
Rob; " let us join together against him."
and he held out his hand"
want nothing to do with you," re-
piled Lars, and turned away, resuming
his work.
Rob Steffel laughed scornfuly, and
went away, but the sting tnat his words
contained remained in Lars breast.
When the other was out Of sight he flung
down his ak, and went back TO the vii
lage. Slowly, with downcast head, ne
walked. Before the house Of old Mason
he paused, then with a sudden resolution
he entered But, as if bound, he stood in
the doorwav-ln the room stood Katie
tenderiy embraced by Christoph. A
painful silence prevailed for moment,
then Christoph stepped toward Lars, put
out his hand, and said: Katie is my
betrothed since last evening. intended
to come directly to you and tell YOU
He did not answer, only bitter smile
quivered on his lips. It was excessively
painful to the girl. She felt what blow
she had given him, though blameless her
self She longed to say something to
him, but could not find the right word.
So she only looked at him, and without
speaking held out her hand to him, but
he turned away and left the house.
Toward noon the shore was alive with
men. The sea cleaned in the sunshine
again, the waves played gently, and
soft wind was blowing. The day was IA
vorabe for large haul. All the fisher
men of the village were gathered together,
the nets and oars were put into the boats,
the sails spread wide. and the little fleet
sailed far out into the broad, beautiful
sea. Katie stood on the shore, sending
greetings to her sweetheart as long as his
boat was i'll sight. Then she went homo,
smiling happily to herself She had much
to do. After she had seen to her old
father, who sat quietly in his chair aud
smoked a short pipe, she went about her
work. How it flew under her hands to-
dav, though frequently she stopped, gaz-
ing down lost in sweet dreams. Then
she worked 80 much the faster again. So
hour after hour flew by UNDECIDED. AT
last the days task was ended and Katie
went to the door But the weather had
changed, the sun had disappeared behind
thick clouds and the sky hung in gray
folds over the sea. The fishermen also had
finished their work. The rich booty lay
in the boats, promising fine reward for
their hard labor But in the east it was
black and threatening. They must reach
home before the storm came on. The little
sails spread out, the ships flew over the
water. causing the foam to break over the
deep dripping sides. Then came the first
blow strong against the sails; the loaded
boats threatened to upset. The men were
forced to take in sails and trust wholly
to the oars. 1t grew dark, and the sea
lifted itself restlessly into huge, far roll
ing waves. Then the storm broke loose
with Wild force it howled and lashed the
sea till it reared in short, foam capped
waves. The men rowed with all their
might: the shore could not be far away,
though it was not visible in the dark
ness. Ahead of all the others shot Chris
toph's boat; close behind him was Lars.
It. seemed as if the two were running q
race for the safety of the shore. A wave
seized Christoph's boat, lifted it high and
aunp it with its broad side against the
end of Lars vessel, breaking it in. Lars
A